May in summary

As they say, May is the new December--busy.

So what were we up to?

Well, this is how we welcomed May:

Yup, spring blossoms and snow all at once.

But most of the month was beautiful spring weather, and we spent a lot of time outside.  First up, the twins learned to ride a two wheeler.

Their cousin Rachel brought her bike over to Grandma and Grandpa's house to show how she could ride without her training wheels, and both boys just hopped on and took off. We came home and took off their training wheels and they haven't looked back since.  (I only got a good picture of Brady that night, but they both were taking turns.)

We had an awesome Mother's Day celebration at our house.  In an effort to not feel disappointed, I decided a few years ago to make Mother's Day all about my own mother.

I honestly have one of the greatest moms in the world, and it is such a pleasure to honor her.

The twins had a "graduation" from preschool.  They should have called it the end of the year program because the twins are going back to the same preschool next year.

Horrible lighting!  It was such a cute program--all about going to the zoo, and each class had an animal costume.  A few days before, Carter told me he didn't want to put on his elephant costume and didn't want to go on stage.  He said he didn't want people looking at him.  We managed to get him up on the stage, but no costume.  That's him in the corner, with Dad behind him and his teacher right next to him.  Brady was only a little better, that's his elephant ears next to his teacher.


We spent time together as a family on Memorial Day as well.

We visited my grandparent's grave, and then went back to my parent's house for snow cones (which Jackson kept stealing from Grandpa) and then a barbecue.

We also spent a lot of time in the backyard:

One thing I love about our neighborhood--see all those boys in my back yard?  Tons of little boys to play with all the time.

Jackson thought he would climb on everything.  (But he did finally become a walker at 17 months!)

And we finished off the month with a visit to the doctor's office:

4 little boys + sticks as swords = 2 stitches

Our Spring Break Stay-cation

We tried to see if we could do some last minute getaway, but it just didn't happen.  So I decided that we needed to do at least one fun thing each day for the break.

Monday
We ended up at Chick-fil-a for dinner, and didn't even know that the cow was going to be there.  While it freaked the twins out at first, by the end they gave him a high five.

Tuesday
We went to Jump on It for the afternoon.  I wasn't sure I could handle all four kids myself, so Tyler had to promise to be my helper.  He did great.

Wednesday
It was beautiful weather, so everyone was happy to play ALL afternoon outside with friends.  At one point I think I had 10 little boys in my yard!

Thursday

We took our "picnic" aka McDonald's drive-thru, to the park and played.

 

Friday
This was the cold day.  It was just warm enough that evening to go to Grandma's for hot dogs and smore's and to play outside with our cousins.

Jackson at 15 months

This has been sitting in my drafts folder for almost a week, so I really should title it Jackson at 16 months since he hits that on the 23rd.  Oh well.

We finally made it in for his 15 month check up, and here are his stats:

Weight: 22 lbs. 7 oz. (41st percentile)

Height: 30 1/2 inches (18th percentile)

Head size: 48 1/4 cm (84th percentile)

Yes he still has a huge head.

He is STILL not walking!  I know that there is a normal range and all, but come on kid! However, his pediatrician isn't worried, so I won't be either.  When I mentioned that he still wasn't walking, the ped asked me a set of questions: "Does he pull himself and walk on furniture?" Yes.  "Can he stand on his own?" Yes.  "Can he get where he wants to go." Yes, quickly.  "Does he have older siblings that help him out?" Yes.  "He'll get there."  And the more I thought about, the more it makes sense.  It is so his personality.  He has always been content and calm.  Even in utero, he was that way.  I remember stopping almost daily to count kicks because he was so calm. I just don't think he sees the need to walk.  (And in the last week, he has taken one step about 5 different times.  It'll happen.)

He is getting more interactive with us, and I love it.  He has a few words: uh-oh, no, bye-bye, momma (well, still more a ma ma ma ma), but he communicates with lots of head shakes, points, waves.  He just added the bye to the waving this week.  He gives high fives and kisses.  He also tries to get my attention by gagging himself.  Weird kid.  He has actually made himself throw up before, so I do give him a lot of attention when he does that.

He has definitely picked a security item.  He has a blankie now that he loves--when he's sad or tired, just give it to him and he buries his head in it.

He is a great sleeper (12 hours at night with anywhere from 1-3 hours of napping in the day).  He is a good eater.  I think his favorite food is strawberries, but he will eat almost anything I can cut into bite size pieces.  I am sad to say that he is not too fond of any vegetables.  He drinks about half from a sippie and half from his bottle.  (Oh he is such a fourth child.)  He doesn't like milk in a cup. 

He likes toys.  He loves to go up to the playroom and tries his best to keep up with his brothers.  He loves to empty out drawers, but he will put things back if you coach him on it.  He is just starting to like and understand the concept of books.  He is also realizing what tv is.  He likes Mickey Mouse, and cranes his head (since he's still rear-facing) to watch the DVD in the car.

More and more often we have been calling him Jackers.  

It's such a fun stage where he is really developing a personality and wants to communicate with us.  We all just love and adore him.

Happy Easter

What a great Easter weekend.  I love all traditions, including our Easter ones.

Decorating

Dyeing Eggs

Yes, I did make my boys take off their shirts while we were around the dye.


Easter Baskets

This year the Easter Bunny brought everyone a new spring outfit, spring pajamas, bubbles, balls, and of course candy--chocolate bunnies, Resse's Peanut Butter cups, Peeps, and jelly beans.


Going to church

Doesn't everyone look so excited?  Can you imagine how crazy every Sunday at church is?  Just imagine a one year old who won't sit on your lap, and two three year olds who try to run around.  It's that bad, times about 10!


Making sugar cookies

This year Carter helped me roll out and cut them, while all the kids helped put sprinkles on after I frosted them.

Easter Dinner and Egg Hunt

My sister hosted this year.  We ate yummy dinner, and then let the kids go in the back yard to hunt for eggs.  And we finished off with a grandparent picture.

While all the tradition is fun, and I love being with my family, I know that Easter is actually all about our Savior.  I am so grateful for his sacrifice and resurrection.  He truly does live today.